Expatriates to Receive OTP Via Email for e-Returns

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a new facility to help overseas Bangladeshi taxpayers submit their online income tax returns, or e-returns, more easily. Previously, biometric registration for e-return site access sent OTPs only to a Bangladeshi mobile number, creating difficulties for citizens residing abroad.

In a notice issued on 23 October, NBR stated, “For the 2025-26 tax year, taxpayers have responded enthusiastically, with more than 850,000 income tax returns submitted online so far. We request all respected taxpayers, both within Bangladesh and abroad, to submit their 2025-2026 income tax returns through the e-return system by 30 November 2025.”

To facilitate overseas registration, taxpayers can now send their identification and location details—including passport number, National ID number, visa copy, email address, and photograph—via email. “NBR will send the OTP and registration link to the applicant’s email. Through this link, Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad can register on the e-return portal and submit their returns online,” the notice added.

A special order from NBR mandates online filing for all taxpayers except senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged or specially-abled taxpayers, overseas Bangladeshi taxpayers, and foreign citizens working in Bangladesh. However, those exempted are also eligible to file online if they wish.

No document uploads are required during online e-return submission. Taxpayers are advised to keep all supporting documents verifying their income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities for their own records.

The NBR emphasized that “because online e-return submission is easy and hassle-free, with immediate acknowledgement slips and the ability to print the income tax certificate, many overseas Bangladeshi taxpayers prefer online submission even if not mandatory. The new OTP-via-email system resolves previous difficulties in accessing e-returns from abroad.”